Welcome to our November Newsletter!
Sarasa Ensemble is looking forward to presenting delectable musical treats in Dynamic Duos: Partnerships of the Baroque over the Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend! Escape the on-set of leftovers and travel with us to Venice, Dresden, Bologna, Padua, Prague, Potsdam and Rome.
One work to be featured includes JS Bach’s Prelude, Fugue and Allegro in E-flat, BWV 998 'pour le luth ò cymbal’ The original manuscript was sold at auction to a private bidder a few years ago for the sum of $3.5 million! Take a look at this rare, beautiful manuscript and hear more about its story here.
https://www.christies.com/features/My-highlight-of-2016-JS-Bach-autograph-manuscript-7966-3.aspx
How many types of cooking vessels can you possibly use for your Thanksgiving meal??
Bartolomeo Scappi, Opera dell'arte del cucinare (1570)
Did you know after the discovery of the Americas, the turkey became the most highly prized choice of fowl in Italy? It was particularly welcome as a wedding gift. Tomatoes, potatoes, sweetcorn all made their way into European cuisines with initially scrutinised looks, only to be whole-heartedly embraced, especially in Italy. Thank goodness!
And how about this description of gastronomic (and Papal) excess with musical accompaniment?
In 1595, Cardinal Grimani … famously provided an official lunch for the Ambassadors of La Serenissima (Venice) in the Palazzo Venezia. Guests were called to gather around by the sounds of fifes and drums, which also accompanied the entrance into the dining room each entrée and its side dish. Trumpets introduced preserves and jams, while pure gold and silver plates covered in cookies and pinenuts made their appearance on the delicate notes of harps. The meal continued with a milk soup and dozens of roasted roes, served on enormous trays. The majestic sounds of tubas followed an overwhelming display of seventy-four large plates of chicken in Catalan sauce. This was followed by the mellow, refined harmonies of violas to create the choice backdrop for roasted pheasants. Dessert was a concoction of whipped cream and marzipan, accompanied by performances by an exotic belly dancer, followed by a children’s choir.
Bartolomeo Scappi, Opera dell'arte del cucinare (1570)
Are you tired of cooking and over-eating? Sick of all the dishes? Need to escape the football games? Need a moment to collect yourself, and to be inspired again? Then be sure to join us:
Dynamic Duos: Partnerships of the Baroque
November 29, 2019 at 7:30pm Brattleboro Music Center, VT (tickets: www.bmcvt.org)
November 30, 2019 at 8pm Harvard-Epworth United Methodist Church, Cambridge
December 01, 2019 at 3:30pm First Parish in Lexington
Antonio Vivaldi Sonata in C minor, RV 53 for oboe and basso continuo
Antonio Vandini Sonata in A minor for cello and basso continuo
J.S. Bach Prelude, Fugue and Allegro, BWV 998 'pour la Luth ò Cembal’ for solo harpsichord
Giuseppe Tartini Sonata in G minor, Op. 1 No. 10 'Didone abbandonata’ for violin and basso continuo
Intermission
Arcangelo Corelli Sonata in D major, Op.5 No. 1 for violin and basso continuo
Pietro Gaetano Boni Sonata XII in D minor for cello and basso continuo
J.G. Graun Trio Sonata in F major for oboe, violin and basso continuo
Alison Bury, violin; Richard Earle, oboe; Jennifer Morsches, piccolo cello & cello; Timothy Merton, cello; Robin Bigwood, harpsichord
